MOTOCROSS ACTION PHOTO OF THE DAY: THE WHO MAN DEFIED AGE AND BECAME A CHAMPION FOR THE AGES

Charles “Feets” Minert was one of the best off-road racers in America during the 1950s. He won the popular Catalina Grand Prix in 1956 (above) and was a star rider before the days of specialization. Minert excelled in all types of motorcycle racing from speedway to trials, from desert racing to scrambles, and he even raced the Daytona road race when it was still on the beach. And of course, he raced motocross from its inception.

BSA made a replica of Feets’ Catalina Grand Prix winning bike ? it was called the Catalina Scrambler. Here, 81-year-old Feets stands behind the Feets Minert Replica. Feets was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 1999 (and he turned 82 this week).

This was the decal that every rider who raced on the same day as Feets did (on his 80th birthday) got. Feets started riding in 1947 and has never stopped (except that nasty Korean War period).

Chuck “Feets” Minert wrote a book on motorcycle racing titled “How To Ride And Win.” It was published in 1956 with John McLaughlin, Don Pink and Bud Ekins. This is the leaf page photo of a young Feets Minert.

Feets loves to race and even though he gives away 40 years to many of his competitors he always goes for it. Here, Feets and fellow Aerobatic pilot Doug Jardine fly side by side.

Feets at Saddleback in 1970.

Feets still has the intense glare of a Champion. Currently recovering from shoulder surgery, Feets wants to get back to racing at Glen Helen as soon as he gets a doctor’s release.

Feets (4) and Tom Rapp on the hard-pack of Saddleback.

Feets Minert (24) raced the 1970 Trans-AMA series as part of the BSA factory team.

Ask yourself this: Will you be racing when you are in your 80s? Will Ryan Villopoto be racing in 2068? Chuck “Feets” was a factory star in the 1950s, who raced and won the biggest events, raced in Europe and, most amazingly, kept right on racing through the 1950’s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and beyond.

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WARNING: Much of the action de­pict­­ed in this magazine is potentially dan­gerous. Virtually all of the riders seen in our photos are experienced ex­­perts or professionals. Do not at­tempt to duplicate any stunts that are be­­yond your own capabilities. Always wear the appropriate safety gear.